Protocol for the purification of DNA recovered from agarose and polyacrylamide gels by anion-exchange chromatography. Fragments of DNA recovered from agarose gels are sometimes poor templates or substrates in subsequent enzymatic reactions. This problem can be solved by binding the DNA to a positively charged matrix, such as DEAE-Sephadex or DEAE-Sephacel, in buffers of low ionic strength. After washing the matrix, the DNA is eluted by raising the strength of the buffer. - [Read Purification of DNA Recovered Anion-exchange Chromatography Protocol]
DEAE-dextran is generally used to obtain a burst of transient expression of cloned genes after transfection of mammalian cells. Many variants of the technique have been described, all of which seek to maximize the uptake of DNA and to minimize the cytotoxic effects of DEAE-dextran. In this protocol cells are exposed briefly to a high concentration of DEAE-dextran-DNA and then to chloroquine diphosphate, which is a facilitator of transfection. - [Read Transfection Mediated by DEAE-Dextran: High-efficiency Method Protocol]